By now, I have already explained my extremely negative feelings on 2011 National Treasures, as it is painfully obvious to me where the focus of the set is placed. Even though many of the examples do provide higher quality swatches in the windows, the card around the window is at the level of design quality that Panini has also displayed in sets like Gridiron Gear. That should not EVER happen. However, cards like this are not why people buy National Treasures, as they are not special at all. The reason people buy are the rookie auto patches, which for the first time, have not improved at all over the previous years’ set.

In 2010, the RAPs were so nicely designed, that I actually understood why people were willing to buy the boxes they came in. This year, not so much. The look is already at a disadvantage because of the overall base design being sub par, and that is only the beginning. My biggest gripe has to be the place in which Panini gave the player to sign the cards, as they made no secret of making the swatch and swatch window border more important. If I were a player and got my cards to autograph, and saw the amount of space I had on these cards, I would scoff. What is the point of an on card autograph if the signature has to be smaller than a sticker in the first place? It makes no sense to me.

Additionally, Panini stuck with outdated rookie premiere photos, some of which display players in the wrong numbered uniforms. Remember, the season is 100% complete, and has been for over a month – if you include the playoffs. As much as people like to collect these cards, it has to be frustrating to be a Von Miller collector and see that his best card of the year has him parading around in a #40 jersey, AGAIN. I would be pissed, and I dont think that Panini really cares about the little things that make products worth the price tag. I mean, this Greg Little picture in a “00” jersey is totally worth the 400 bucks for a box, right? It would be one thing if this product came out in January or February like usual, but we are three weeks shy of the NFL freaking draft. When Topps got hard signed cards taken care of for game photos in PRECISION, which hit shelves in January, this is a dog.

In terms of this colored foil that is surrounding the swatch window like a belt buckle, I dont think it was thought out correctly. It doesnt look right in the different colors they chose, and a simple gold or silver ring around the window would have been more than enough. Instead they chose an ornate frame that looks ridiculous, and in turn, left no space for the autograph.

I do think that Panini did one thing right on at least one card, by making this Christian Ponder 7/25 special with a crazy logo patch. Collectors chase jersey numbered cards for some unusual reason, and this is a big way to make it more worth the chase. Outside of that, I really dont think they did many things right with these cards.

If Panini finally decides to compete with Five Star in a design capacity, they will have my blessing. However, they continue to cater to the lowest common denominator, hoping that brand loyalty will carry them through. Fine, but eventually those laurels will disappear. Eventually they will have to change their ways, but the people who buy will have to speak with their wallets first.